David Love (born August 10, 1934) is an American actor best known for his leading role in one of the most famous cult classics of the 1950s science-fiction era. Born Charles Robert Kaltenthaler in Los Angeles, California, he primarily worked under his screen name, David Love, though he is also credited in some circles by his birth initials, C.R. Kaltenthaler.
Love’s place in cinematic history was cemented by his starring role as Derek in the 1959 independent feature Teenagers from Outer Space. In the film, he portrays a sensitive, rebellious alien who defects from his invading fleet to protect Earth after falling in love with a human girl. The movie, which was written, directed, and produced by his close friend Tom Graeff, became a staple of the drive-in circuit and later found a massive second life as a quintessential “B-movie” classic through television syndication.
Before his turn as a space-traveling hero, Love appeared in smaller, regionally focused productions such as The Orange Coast College Story (1954) and Island Sunrise (1956). Despite the enduring cult popularity of Teenagers from Outer Space, Love chose to move away from the Hollywood spotlight shortly after its release. Today, he remains a celebrated figure among fans of 1950s sci-fi, remembered for his earnest performance in a film that captures the unique, low-budget charm of independent mid-century filmmaking.
